Matthew____21

Scripture

Matthew 21: 28-30

What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”

“I will not,” he answered, but later changed his mind and went.

Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing . He answered. “I will, sir,” but did not go.

 

Observation

After Jesus drives people out of the temple, He begins to preach parables to those who are gathered there. He starts by telling the parable above and then follows it up with a similar story. Jesus, however, uses these parables to get a very specific point across to everyone (including the Pharisees) there.

 

Understanding

Ever been friends with someone that didn’t stay true to their word? Like they promised to do something for you or to hang out with you, but when the time comes for you to “cash in” on your favor or time spent they are nowhere to be found. And time and time again they give you their word that they will make it up to you, but their actions never match it.

Call me crazy, but I think that is what Jesus is getting at here. The heart attitude of both the sons did not match their action and results. While one said no, he thought better of himself and went out to work in the vineyard. While the other son said yes, but backed this with zero action. It makes me wonder of how many times I’ve told God I would do something and I still haven’t done it. But here’s the bottom line:

God’s a gentleman, and will not intrude on your busy schedule.

As harsh as this sounds, if you aren’t willing to match your words and promises to God with action then He’ll find someone else who’s available. God wants you to take your “yes” to Him seriously! Though He stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20)… you have to let Him in! And that requires action! Not just “Oh yeah, someone’s at the door. Open sesame!”

 

Life Application

What’s the last thing that God told you to do that you still haven’t gotten around to? Let’s be people of our word and back it with action. I feel God saying: “If you would just do the last thing I told you, breakthrough happens.”

Trusting God and following Him are not sideline sports, it requires the belief that whatever action you have to take is worth it! I know it’s difficult, believe me… so God I pray for that you lift the spirit of apathy and replace it with one of praise in doing. May we be people that selflessly make room for you, so that we can carry out what You have designed us for. Amen.

-Allison Khan

Matthew__20

ScriptureMatthew 20:15-16 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Observation-What does it say?Jesus tells another parable to His disciples about workers in a vineyard that were hired at different times, yet promised the same wage. Those hired first were grumbling because of all the work they put in from the beginning, yet the owner (parallel to the Lord, our Master), paid them the same wage as the workers who started work later. He says to stop being envious of His generosity and ends that parable by saying, “The last will be first and the first will be last.” Understanding-What does it mean?In Jesus’ parable, He was saying that it doesn’t matter when or how we started in terms of our faith. It’s how we finish.  For example, those who were hired first can be parallel to those who’ve been living their lives for Jesus all their lives.  The ones hired last can be parallel to someone like the thief on the cross, who never lived a day for Jesus, except for his acceptance of Him seconds before he took his last breath. In both scenarios, both were promised and given the same reward.Jesus said these same words in our Soul Journal reading yesterday of Matthew 19. “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” He did it to describe the Kingdom of Heaven and having a humble heart towards acceptance of Jesus. (The unwillingness of the Pharisees and Religious Leaders of the day to have a humble heart like a child is why they couldn’t accept Jesus.) I am also reminded of the Parable of the Prodigal son in Luke 15, where the other son was envious because the rebellious one who came back got a big party, but he didn’t. Life ApplicationWe must stop judging God’s generosity and grace. At the foot of the cross, we are all the same. Have you ever been so prideful that you thought you were better than others or deserved more than others because you’ve been a faithful servant of Christ all your life? True confessions-I have, 18 years ago, and you know what happened??? God humbled me, broke me and brought me to a place where I was no longer the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14, but the tax collector, in need of His mercy and grace and no longer reliant on my works for Him.A lot of inspirational speakers, ministers and Pastors say this, so I don’t know where it originated from, but it’s true! “It doesn’t matter when or how you start, it’s how you finish.” That’s the mindset we must have when reaching out to others. May we never forget where we came from or judge the generosity of Jesus towards others. That same generosity is why many of us are who/where we are today!-Michelle Gaddi

Matthew____19

Scripture

Matthew 19:13-14

13Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Observation-What does it say?

When the little children were brought to Jesus, His disciples rebuked them. They rebuked the people who brought the kids to Jesus. The Oxford American dictionary defines rebuke as, “express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.” The disciples were critical of the fact that little children were brought to Jesus, but Jesus told His disciples to let them come. Jesus welcomed the children, blessed them and prayed for them. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

It doesn’t matter what age, race, gender we are, or past we have. We can all come to Jesus and He will accept us with open arms.

Children were just like women back in those times in Jewish culture. They were not highly regarded. However, Jesus continued to break those social barriers. When doing research on gotquestions.com, it said that, “It is likely that their (the disciples') move to hinder the parents from bringing their children to Jesus was motivated not by unkindness, but by a desire to respect Jesus’ position as a teacher.”

To the disciples, Jesus’ position as a teacher gave Him no time to pray over children because He had more important matters to attend to. However, Jesus continued to show His disciples that He was there to serve people no matter what gender or age they were. He came to serve everyone, to die for ALL and to resurrect from the grave so that we could have life in Him. The Kingdom of Heaven did not only belong to the religious leaders or to men, but to the sinners, the poor, the women, the children and everyone else who weren’t socially accepted in those days.

Life Application

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28 NIV

Think of people today who are not socially accepted or people we write off because they are unlike us. Poor/homeless, mentally/physically ill, sick, broken, needy, hurt, dependent....you fill in the blank. 

Those are the people that Jesus went out of His way to minister to and who we should to as well. There are no cultural, social, age, gender, or political gaps with Jesus. Everyone has an opportunity to be part of the Kingdom of Christ because in His Kingdom, those barriers do not exist.

Dear Jesus, thank You that You loved and love the “least of these” and as we were adopted into your family, we inherited more than the world has to offer, life with You. I pray against any cultural or social filter/barrier that prevents us from reaching out to those You desire in Your Kingdom. As Your Word says, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last (Matt. 19:30)." May we have a humble servant’s view towards people just like You had towards us. We love You Jesus and thank You for choosing us despite who we were. May we extend that same love and grace towards others when reaching out. Amen. 

Source:

gotquestions.org/let-the-little-children-come-to-me.html

-Michelle Gaddi